Kampala, Uganda & Dubai, UAE — Feb 14, 2026

Uganda’s rich agricultural output remains under-monetized: transportation gaps, limited market access, and regional fragmentation cause food loss and depress farmers’ margins. Urban consumers face time constraints and long trips to markets. Digital marketplaces that bridge producers, retailers and end consumers can reduce waste, increase farmer incomes and improve urban food access making now the right moment for a purpose-built fresh-food e-commerce platform.

What the Startup Delivers?

Zandya is an e-commerce marketplace focused on fresh produce, livestock and staple foods, linking regional farmers, supermarkets, bakeries and specialty vendors with consumers across Uganda. The platform supports wholesale and retail purchases, live and slaughtered-livestock orders, and curated packaging options. Zandya’s model combines app-based ordering with multi-modal delivery (motorcycles, tri-cycles, hired cargo for interregional loads) and local pickup stations to improve reach and security.

Why Now?

Mobile money adoption, growing smartphone use and a maturing logistics landscape make digital food commerce more practical across Uganda’s major cities and districts. Zandya’s approach targets immediate pain points time-poor urban buyers, farmers with surplus harvests, and retailers seeking reliable suppliers and leverages existing marketplace behaviors while adding infrastructure for hygiene, halal compliance, and bulk handling.

Program Plan (first 30–60 days)

Through EquityPilot, Zandya will refine product-market fit and execution priorities, including: - Finalizing the app MVP and logistics integrations with an existing technology co-investor. - Onboarding pilot suppliers (supermarkets, bakeries, water and fuel vendors) and confirming commission arrangements. - Setting up a central Kampala headquarters and a warehousing plan for perishable handling, hygiene and water infrastructure. - Launching targeted marketing pilots across city centers and select districts to validate demand and delivery workflows.

Proof Points

- A technology partner has already committed to the app build and a 50/50 founding split, with the app development cost estimated at approximately $100,000. - Local suppliers and major supermarkets have expressed willingness to join the platform and accept commission-based listings. - Zandya has engaged a halal certifier, Imam Ahmed Kyeyune, to support trust and compliance for livestock and slaughter operations.

Leadership Comment

Hesham Zreik, Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, said: “We’re excited to support Zandya through EquityPilot. Our team will focus on execution milestones and connecting the startup with the right ecosystem stakeholders.”

Founder background

The Zandya brand is rooted in an Eastern Ugandan family name and cultural food expressions. The founder traces the name to a grandfather who was a cattle and meat seller known across the region, an origin that informs the company’s focus on livestock, fresh produce and culturally trusted food handling.

Ecosystem relevance

Zandya’s model aligns with Uganda’s dense urban centers (Kampala, Jinja, Mbarara and others), increasing internet access, and an active informal market economy. By enabling interregional flows and pickup stations, the platform seeks to reduce waste and create dependable demand for farmers across all regions.

Next 90 Days

Zandya will complete the MVP, run live city-center pilots, finalize warehousing and hygiene protocols, secure initial supplier contracts, and begin customer acquisition pilots targeting busy urban households, restaurants and institutional buyers. The team is inviting equity partners to support infrastructure, marketing and scale; the initial ask is $150,000, with a minimum partner entry of $50,000.

About Zandya

Zandya is an e-commerce marketplace built to connect farmers, supermarkets, bakeries and consumers across Uganda, with a primary focus on fresh food, livestock and staple goods. The platform combines app-based ordering with multi-modal delivery and local pickup stations to reduce food waste, expand market access and create more efficient regional supply chains.

About FasterCapital

FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide through various programs, including funding assistance, business development, and technical support. The EquityPilot program is designed to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship, strategic guidance, and network support.